320,000 jobs coming yearly, says Okonjo-Iweala

IF the words of Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala are anything to go by, the Federal Government would create 320,000 jobs, beginning from next year.

The figure is a far-cry from the government’s initial plan to provide one million employment opportunities every year.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said the 320,000-job proposal has been built into the 2013 Appropriation Bill.

According to her, the government is going about the job creation in two ways.

She said: “We are approaching the issue of jobs in two ways; the first way is diversification of the economy by encouraging agriculture and solid minerals development, housing and construction”.

Her words: “We are embarking on some programmes that were launched by Mr. President for youths, women and people with disabilities. We are expected to create 370,000 jobs through that.”

Defending the proposed vote to security, the minister said adequate security would stimulate economic development.

According to her, the government “amalgamated all the budget allocations to all the security agencies. We are putting together the votes fo the police, defence, intelligence agencies, border patrol and immigration.

“The vote covers every agency that has something to do with security. That is why their is a substantial vote for security in the proposal.

“We have continued to pay attention to security as being demostarted by Mr. President. Without security, development would be difficult. We have to secure the nation first. Securing the nation in one way also includes economic empowerment.”

Also defending the budget, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’ s Minister of State, Yerima Lawal Ngama said: “If you look at security, the budget of the police covers the payment of salaries and the provision of operational equipment. So, it is mostly reoccurring expenditures. That of the ministries of works and power is mostly capital expenditure.”